Visitors and members of the public who are unfamiliar with the building and procedures are advised that:

(a)      There is no scheduled test of the fire alarm during this meeting. If the alarm does sound, please leave the building quickly without collecting any of your possessions, using the doors signed as fire escapes.

(b)      Assemble outside where directed. Await instructions before re-entering the building.

(c)      Anyone who requires assistance in evacuating the building, should make themselves known during this agenda item.

The Chair read out the emergency evacuation procedure.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their families or friends.

The Chair will ask Members if they have any disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) or disclosable non-pecuniary interests (DNPIs) to declare in respect of items on the agenda. Members with a DPI in an item must leave the room for that item and may not participate in the debate or vote. 

Aside from disclosable interests, where a fair-minded and informed observer would think there was a real possibility that a Member might be biased or predetermined on an item, the Member should declare this and leave the room while that item is considered.

Members who are in any doubt about interests, bias or predetermination should contact the monitoring officer for advice prior to the meeting.

Councillor Elliott Jayes disclosed a non-pecuniary interest as a Trustee of Sheppey Matters.

Councillor Bill Tatton disclosed a non-pecuniary interest in Song Signing.

Councillors Cameron Beart, Richard Darby and Peter Marchington disclosed a non-pecuniary interest as they all sat on Queenborough Town Council.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2022 (Minute Nos. 47 – 58) as correct records.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 June 2022 (Minute Nos. 47 – 58) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Members noted the progress on actions.

Councillor Cameron Beart spoke about Scrapsgate Field, Minster and explained that Swale Borough Council (SBC) used to cut and maintain a horse-riding ring on that land.  This stopped due to SBC budget cuts and to protect brown nesting birds.  A group of horse owners had requested to bring it back into use and were willing to contribute to the cost.  Councillor Beart consulted with the Head of Leisure and Environment who advised that the support of the Sheppey Area Committee should be sought in the first instance, before taking the matter to the Environment Committee.

Rachel Lecount was in attendance on behalf of the riding group and spoke about the history of Scrapsgate Field. She explained the safety concerns of training horses in the field where the ground was uneven.  Dog owners also walked their dogs in the field and some did not clear up after them which was a health risk to horses.  A twenty metre by forty metre arena with bark chip was requested. 

The Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods said that although SBC would prefer to keep the land as it was for biodiversity reasons, officers could look at the possibility of the horse-riding group leasing the land and taking on the liability.

It was agreed that officers would take this away to see what the options were and then refer the matter to the Chair of the Environment Committee to request it be added to a future agenda.

Resolved:

1)    That the issue of reinstating the horse-riding circle in Scrapsgate Field, Minster be referred to the Chair of the Environment Committee.

Linda Brinklow invited everyone in attendance to the launch of the Sheppey Light Railway Greenway Project on Friday 30 September 2022 at 7 pm at the Sheerness East Working Men’s Club.  This was a new community project to restore the old Sheppey Light Railway into an east-west off-road walking, wheeling and cycling greenway, connecting towns and villages across the Isle of Sheppey.

Parish Councillor Dolley White asked for an update on the gypsy and traveller situation at West Minster.  The Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods agreed to look into the matter and would provide an update in due course.

Parish Councillor White asked about the Development Forum Project.  The Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods asked Councillor White to email her the details and following consultation with officers an update would be provided.

Parish Councillor Chris Reed asked for an update on Neptune Terrace.  The Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods agreed to ask the Active Travel Coordinator to contact Councillor Reed with an update.

A member of the public asked about applying for a dropped kerb.  The Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods agreed to make enquiries with Kent County Council (KCC) on behalf of the resident.

No issues were raised.

The Sheppey Area Committee was allocated a total of £47,000.00 for the financial year 2022/23.  The funding scheme was opened-up for external organisations to apply and the closing date for bids was Monday 1 August 2022.  £38,412.10 of bids were received for consideration by the Committee.  This meant that there was potentially £8,587.90 funding remaining. All applications were assessed for eligibility by officers and a scoring process carried out.  Officers submitted three options for the Committee to vote on as set out in pages 61 to 63 of the report.

Councillor Elliott Jayes proposed that Option 1 be selected and this was seconded by Councillor Oliver Eakin.

On being put to the vote Option 1 was agreed.

The Committee were asked to consider how they would like the remaining £8,587.90 to be allocated. It was agreed to hold a second funding round and the Policy and Engagement Officer would publicise the details at the beginning of October 2022.  An assessment process by officers would take place and the proposals would come back to the December 2022 meeting for consideration.

Resolved:

That £38,412.10 funding be awarded to projects in the following proportions:

a)    Youth Resilience UK CIC - £1,560.00

b)   Sheppey Matters - £6,585.42

c)    Queenborough Town Community Centre Ltd - £5,045.00

d)   Song Signing - £3,936.00

e)    Member bid (improvements to New Road Play Park, Minster-on-Sea) - £20,000.00

f)     Queenborough Town Council - £1,285.68

No issues were raised.

The issue of reinstating the horse-riding circle in Scrapsgate Field, Minster be referred to the Chair of the Environment Committee.